Oligomeric calix[4]arene-thiacrown ether for toxic heavy metals

A new oligomeric calix[4]arene-thiacrown-4 (5) was synthesized via a condensation reaction of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-bis-(4-aminobenzyloxy)-calix[4]arene-thiacrown-4 (4) with adipoyl dichloride. In this oligomerization reaction only five/six calix[4]arene-thiacrown-4 units were linked in the oligomeric chain. The complexation studies of 5 were made with liquid–liquid- extraction and solid–liquid-sorption procedures. For comparison, the extraction efficiencies of monomers 1, 3, and 4 to selected transition metals are reported. The selectivity of monomers 3 and 4 toward Cu2+, Hg2+, and Pb2+ was lost after oligomerization in the two-phase extraction systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 186–193, 2004